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Non Gaming Discussions => Off-Topic => Topic started by: Living-In-Clip on December 17, 2002, 07:48:47 PM

Title: Home Cinema audio question!
Post by: Living-In-Clip on December 17, 2002, 07:48:47 PM
I just recently started making my own little home cinema and my current setup is rather weak. I have a pretty good size Sony Widescreen HDTV . But I have a Pioneer DVD (5-Disc Changer) / Audio receiver (5.1 / DTS) combo .  Now don\'t get me wrong. It does the job, but it doesn\'t go beyond the call of duty. It doesn\'t have progressive scan / compoment support and I would really like to upgrade to 6.1 .

So, here\'s the question. What audio receivers do you guys use and what do you recommend? I\'ve posted the same question a couple other forums, so I can get a general idea of what everyone recommends.

Once I get this audio situation finished, I will buy a new DVD player / a region free DVD player (also) / new speakers and then I\'ll get a new sofa for this room and fix up the conjoined bathroom..oh and add a mini-fridge.
Title: Home Cinema audio question!
Post by: §ôµÏG®ïñD on December 17, 2002, 07:56:15 PM
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pioneer/CDA/HomeProducts/HomeProductDetails/0,1422,2246,00.html

This is the receiver i plan on buying. Right now i\'m on a crappy rotel receiver. Does the job for my pc. but anything else.. arghh!!
Title: Home Cinema audio question!
Post by: THX on December 17, 2002, 08:02:11 PM
Well whenever Video, Cored or I see these questions we always ask what\'s your budget, you should be used to that by now. :)

For most budgets/applications Denon is a great choice.  If you want more bang per buck check out Yamaha or Onkyo offerings.

If you really wanna go beyond the \'call of duty\' you should get seperates, a preamp/processor to handle Digital decoding and source switching, and a seperate amplifier for more dedicated, clean, raw power.  Outlaw Audio has a great reputation for quality components for good prices since you buy them factory direct.  But this will run you closer to $2000.

There\'s an awesome deal going around in the HT forums about H/K\'s flagship AVR-8000 receiver.  There\'s still a price discount, but it used to be at $1187 shipped up until Dec 16th. :nut: (Link (http://www.onecall.com/Shipping.SHP?CartProductID=11379&NewQty=1&PMOID=309&PMOCID=406&PMOCode=gaxavr8k&BCPID=387) Deals Page (http://www.hometheaterforum.com/deals/deals.php))

I\'m in the process of getting a new entertainment center.  Me and my bro saw this sexy one at Ikea that will match the room and hold all the videogame crap.  Best part is it\'s on sale for $177.
Title: Home Cinema audio question!
Post by: Coredweller on December 17, 2002, 08:22:26 PM
I wish I could give a good answer to this question, but I haven\'t answered it for myself yet!  I have a special set of conditions to meet for my own HT receiver needs.  When you reach a decision, please post it, L-I-C!  Good luck.
Title: Home Cinema audio question!
Post by: FatalXception on December 17, 2002, 10:15:07 PM
I would examine your price range, and buy one of the denon AVR-#### line.  I bought the 3300 a while ago, and it\'s still current with tech, and it\'s over 100 watts per channel really sound crisp and clean.  You need good speakers, of course :)
Title: Home Cinema audio question!
Post by: Faithdies on December 17, 2002, 10:49:58 PM
Hmm.
If you are working with a set budjet, I would go with a Denon AVR1803(6.1 DTS-ES, Multi-room Multi-zone).
A nice dvd player would be the Denon DVD900/1600, or thier multi-disc progressive(cant remember the model). All of these have faruja progressive scan.

For surround, I would recommend a nice set of Mirage.
They have a nice balanced song, and thier newer models have some of the best dispersion ever in a speaker line. The Omni60B\'s in the front(nice highs with bass that hits in the low 60\'s), a OmniC center(same as the omni 60\'s but with but mid-bass woofers), and a pair of omnisats in the rear. Awesome setup. Nice thing is with that setup, you can have people over watching from different seating positions and they still get a good overall surround effect.Top it off with either the LF100/150 sub(depending on room size)

That whole package would run around 2300 for the whole setup.
That would be a system most normal people would hear and envy.
Title: Home Cinema audio question!
Post by: Samwise on December 18, 2002, 01:56:09 AM
Get a good sub - SVS makes some awesome subs.

As previously said Denon makes a good choice. Onkyo, Pioneer, Yamaha or Marantz also make great receivers. As for a DVD player... I\'d use a FP system with a HTPC, but that\'s just for the perfectionist in me. :) I\'m not 100% updated on progressive scan DVD players in the US, but Panasonic and Toshiba seem to be pretty popular.

PS. GET A SUB!11111
Title: Home Cinema audio question!
Post by: videoholic on December 18, 2002, 04:51:09 AM
I have a yamaha and love it.  Without knowing if you want to go seperate amp/processor, you really can\'t go wrong with Denon, Onkyo, or Yamaha.

Just don\'t get Sony, and don\'t get Pioneer.  Pioneer\'s remotes SUCK!!!

And if you don\'t have a sub, I\'d say this is the single most important element in Home Theater.  I lieved without one after having one and it SUXORS.  I just bought an 1100 watt BA Sub and it shakes the neighbors house.


So moral of the story, tell us how much cash you have and we\'ll spend it!!!
Title: Home Cinema audio question!
Post by: Living-In-Clip on December 18, 2002, 07:56:05 AM
Around $1,000  - $1,500 for the receiver alone.  I already have sub, btw.
;)
Title: Home Cinema audio question!
Post by: Green Meanie on December 18, 2002, 08:29:23 AM
Yamaha DSP-A1 - The Daddy.
Title: Home Cinema audio question!
Post by: THX on December 18, 2002, 11:06:28 AM
Harmon/Kardon AVR-8000 (http://www.harmankardon.com/product_detail.asp?cat=REC&prod=AVR%208000&sType=C).  Nice warm Harmon sound (THX Ultra certified), with 2 24-bit processors handling 192kHz PCM. :facelick:
Title: Home Cinema audio question!
Post by: Living-In-Clip on December 18, 2002, 11:13:21 AM
That\'s a bit over the target price, isn\'t it? :D
Tho\' I  must admit, it is pure heaven.
Title: Home Cinema audio question!
Post by: luckee on December 18, 2002, 11:20:10 AM
For your money, get a good yamaha.

BTW, Vid. Pioneer doesnt suck. Besides, what self respecting audiophile uses the "stock" remotes?

Macro\'s 0wn j00!!
(https://psx5central.com/community/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.soundcity.com%2Fprod_images%2Ftsu2000.jpg&hash=1ed7c9c64e0143c649470b4d2fa02fa8d7771f2b)
Title: Home Cinema audio question!
Post by: §ôµÏG®ïñD on December 18, 2002, 11:46:35 AM
Get what u can aford. Just make sure it\'s got everything u want it too have and it\'s a decent brand. You can\'t go wrong. :)
Title: Home Cinema audio question!
Post by: THX on December 18, 2002, 06:30:23 PM
Also look into brands such as B&K (http://www.bkcomp.com/pcindex.html) and Integra (http://www.integrahometheater.com/).  More of the exotic type stuff you can\'t get at Best Buy but have receivers in your price range.

PS- Check the link I made in my first post, the flagship H/K is right in your price range.
Title: Home Cinema audio question!
Post by: Faithdies on December 18, 2002, 11:06:42 PM
You can also get Yamaha\'s RXV1 for 1199.99 at Tweeter right now, which is last years version of Yamaha\'s flagship.
Sweet reciever. The B&K AVR507 is defiantly a nice piece of equipment, but very heavy.